Cinder Emma

Chapter 3      Elijah's Hope

"Camilla! Camilla!" Emma ran into the kitchen, putting her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath.

"What is it chile? Are you hurt?" Camilla came running from her position at the counter.

"Hardly! Camilla, somethin's wonderful's happened…" Emma told the story of what happened to her at the store earlier that day.

"…And then he said to keep my promise, and handed me a twenty dollar bill, Camilla! A twenty!"

Camilla's face turned pale. "Emma… That's …. Laws-a'-mercy…"

"Camilla, this is enough to get Elijah his job back!" Emma had to use all her self restraint to keep from shouting.

"No, Emma, it's your money, I have no right to take it…" Still, Camilla's face had lit up with excitement.

"Are you crazy, Cami? What would I do with it, go by a new dress that would be ruined in five minutes? This is enough to pay off the debts and then some! They'll have to give it back to him!"

"Wow, Emma, I can't thank you enough. Emma, I…" She chocked back a sob and gave Emma a bear hug. "You can use the extra to get a new dress from the store. I can't go there; they'd think I's a hoodlum. Emma, you'd blow 'em away!"

"Camilla!" The last time Emma had blushed that hard has when Tommy Brown found out she had never climbed a tree before.

"Don't worry about it, you can get the dress tomorrow during work. I'll tell Jesimae that Mary Jane Hawford needed a new crib delivered." Camilla had a glint in her eye that scared Emma just a tad.

"What if Jesimae asks Mary Jane on Sunday if I was there?" Emma did not want to get caught.

"I'll tell her on my way home tonight! She never liked Miz Carson much, and would be willin' t' help Elijah! Emma, I can't thank you enough-"

"Stop, Cam, like I would be able to do anything else!" Emma smiled at the over-grateful maid. Camilla had helped Emma more than she could say. It was the only way she could see to pay her back.

"Hurry, we have to get supper ready, or Jesimae'll have a fit!" They got to work fixing supper, both of their spirits considerably lightened.

~**~

Emma took a few relaxing breaths as she set out for the Winslet Cotton Mill. No pressure, No pressure. All you have to do is find Elijah's boss, pay off the debts, and go home. Never mind if you get caught, Jesimae'll beat you to a bloody pulp, Camilla could lose your job, and you could lose the store… No pressure at all…

Walking down Main Street, many people were gaping, and Emma wasn't surprised. How often do you see the local shopkeeper girl in a white, stylish dress that looked like it came strait from Atlanta?

After what seemed like years, she reached Elijah's boss's office. Gathering strength, she said a silent prayer. Dear Lord, give me strength.

She knocked on the door, waiting painstakingly for the door to open. At last, it creaked open, and an unshaven, burly man answered the door. "What'd you want?"

Picking up her head and looking him in the eye, Emma declared, "I am here to pay the debts of Elijah Woodard."

The man grunted. "'Fraid not, ma'am. He's been fired, and there ain't nothin' I c'n do 'bout it."

Her temper started to rise. She had to get Elijah's job back, by hook or by crook. "Oh, you will find a way, Mr. You will."

"Unless you plan to talk to Mr. Winslet himself, then there's no way I can help you!" He eyed her suspiciously. "Why you so interested in Elijah anyway?"

Emma was a tad caught off guard, but recovered quickly. "I am his sister, and I will talk to Mr. Winder if I have to! You will accept the money, and then will be forced to hire him back!"

"He's had a good twelve weeks t' pay up! He's been warned and warned, but no money showed up, and we had no choice but to fire him!"

"And now you have the money, and you have no choice but to hire him!"

"We CAN'T-"

"Mr. Jenkins, were you not taught it is rude to yell at a lady?" Jeremiah Winslet stepped through, both eyebrows raised so high that they almost blended in with the dark black hair. "Now what is it, Jenkins, that you would be yelling at this lady here?"

"Well, sir, she wants t' pay off a debt that one 'a the workers owes, but he's done been fired already," Jenkins said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"But, Mr. Winslet, sir, he conveniently forgot to mention that I have the money ready to be paying in full," Emma said, sending a icy glare toward the unfortunate man. "Besides, you fire debtors while creating them as well!"

Jeremiah's face contorted into a confused look. "Now how do I manage to do that?"

Emma took a deep breath and looked him in the eye, praying he didn't recognize her. "Well, Mr. Winslet, you loan them money to pay for the money that they don't have. But you expect them to pay you back all the money, in cash, at one time, with some interest, which they didn't have in the first place? When they do have the money, as in this case, you won't let them pay back the money they owe!"

Jeremiah looked impressed, as though he didn't know that some woman would be able to deliver that speech. "Jenkins, tell Woodard that he is hired again." Blubbering, Jenkins went to perform his task.

He turned to look at the departing Emma. "That was… amazing!"

Emma turned the exact shade of Mrs. Geraldine Fisher's toematoes. "It's nothing, really, I have to go." She gathered up her things and went out the door, biting her lip in embarrassment.

"Wait!" He ran after her. "What's your name? I swore I knew every lady in the county, but who are you?"

Emma blubbered for a few seconds, knowing if she gave her real name, he would find her out. "Ah… Isabelle Henderson." When all else fails, use your mother's name.

Squinting, Jeremiah looked at her closely. "Have I seen you before?"

"NO! I mean, I… just got here yesterday. On the train." Dandy, Emma, just dandy.

"Who are you staying with then?"

"My cousins."

"Who are they?"

"My… cousins!"

"But what-" Someone from behind called out Jeremiah's name, and he turned around. Emma took the chance to run for it, leaving behind a confused and angry Jeremiah.

A/N- Snaps for Nixiy, Claidi, and BigBlackDogStar, my reviewers! Emma superior to Danielle? *Blushes* BigBlackDogStar, I am pleased that my review left your mouth turned up into a half circle more commonly known as a smile. Claidi, I updated! As before, some of this is based on Ever After, because that is one of the best Cinderella versions I've seen. I don't own it. It belongs to WB, I think.